The Soul Catchers

By: Naoko Higashi, Lucy North - translator

Narrated by: Sadao Ueda, Yuriri Naka

Brought to you by Penguin.

A JAPANESE MODERN CLASSIC

Discover the highly original and moving literary gem for fans of Banana Yoshimoto and Kawaguchi's BEFORE THE COFFEE GETS COLD

What if you could come back after death to watch over your loved one, installing yourself in a treasured mug, for example, or perhaps your mother's hearing aid, a diary, or even a climbing frame, to be clambered over by a younger sister you will never meet?

Eleven recently deceased protagonists find themselves floating in the afterlife where a nameless ghost offers them one last chance to spend time with their loved ones.

But not as you would expect.

In a world where souls roam restlessly around after death, unwilling to depart, The Soul Catchers is a soothing, witty, and surprisingly sensual take on the Japanese folk belief that objects can be inhabited by human presences. Equal parts charming, profound, immensely moving, Higashi's powerful classic is an original exploration of our eternal reluctance to let go.

© Naoko Higashi 2026 (P) Penguin Audio 2026

Critic reviews

If you want a calm, simple read, this is the book for you…each short tale is a lesson in connection and is both straightforward, sad and life-affirming.